Symposium: New Frontiers in Physical Sciences and Prosperity

Symposium:New Frontiers in Physical Sciences and Prosperity

Date: 14 October 2018

Time: 16:00-18:10

Hall: TBC

Without putting serious efforts into advancement of Science Education, Research and Innovation, Nepal’s technology-based future cannot be secured. This symposium will focus on how best to utilize Diaspora’s diverse expertise pool to overcome the knowledge, and science & technology policy gaps that are currently hindering national prosperity.

Background: Various universities offer Physical Science (PS) education in Nepal. There are thousands of Undergraduates, Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree holders, hundreds of PhD scholars, and many dozens are carrying out PhD research. The interest in all levels of PS education is growing every year. Unfortunately, the methods of teaching and research followed in Nepal are not keeping pace with the approach taken by developed countries. To improve the skills of Nepali experts, we have to upgrade and update our ways of teaching and doing research. Without the advancement in new frontiers of physical sciences, knowledge-based economy and sustainable prosperity is difficult to achieve.

There is a huge potential to develop PS education in Nepal. Nepalese graduates have shown commendable performances and competitive edge in both PS education and research globally, once they are provided with right platform and opportunities. It is now time for us to start creating similar opportunities, and education and research environment in Nepal. It requires revamping Government of Nepal’s (GoN) science education, research and technology development policies. It is indubitable that the Nepali Diaspora residing around the globe can play a unique and important role. NRN Diaspora should be an active partner of GoN for achieving future modernization of Nepal’s physical science environment. We plan to organize a symposium on New Frontiers in Physical Sciences to explore and help address Nepal’s need in this direction.

Themes: In line with the objectives of the First NRN Global Knowledge Convention, this symposium will focus on the following themes.

Inadequacies of GoN’s policies pertaining to science education, research and technology development

Policy gaps in inviting and encouraging Diaspora knowledge and expertise investment in Nepal for the long-term development of science and technology

Physical sciences’ current state-of-the-art in Nepal, and knowledge and infrastructure gap compared to where the nation aspires to be